POLECAT, STOAT, WEASEL, HEDGEHOG. 113 



winded something in a low old thorn tree, and 

 climbing up found a nest with four fine young 

 blackbirds in it, and I made a nice hght break- 

 fast of their blood and brains. How the old 

 birds did scream, and what a fuss they made 

 about it! Perhaps they will remember to 

 build higher another season. I then made a 

 neat stalk and killed a skylark, and as the sun 

 was getting high thought of retiring, when I 

 came on the fresh track of a hare. I knew her 

 form would be close by, so followed it in 

 breathless silence. Sure enough she was sleeping 

 on the side of an old bank. Getting well above her 

 I leaped hghtly on to her back, and my teeth were 

 fast in her neck before she was fairly awake. 

 Then how the stupid creature screamed and 

 struggled! Just as if it was of any use! I 

 suppose she was thinking of her httle ones, for 

 she was giving suck I afterwards noticed. 

 However, I left her quiet enough in about ten 

 minutes. Being rather tired, I had a long and 

 refreshing sleep under the root of an old tree, 



I 



